Ruth Langsford apologises as This Morning National Service row descends into CHAOS

RUTH LANGSFORD was forced to apologise ahead of a heated debate over national service on This Morning today.

French President Emmanuel Macron has promised to reintroduced compulsory national service and Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes debated whether it should return in the UK.

But ahead of their heated debate, the former Strictly Come Dancing star suffered an embarrassing gaffe when she mixed up the statistics from the This Morning survey, which asked viewers if they wanted to reintroduce national service.

Ruth told viewers that 64 per cent of viewers did not agree with compulsory national service.

However, she quickly realised she had mixed up the figures and was forced to correct herself as she apologised: “Sorry, that was 64 per cent say yes to compulsory national service.”

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Ruth and Eamonn then chatted to former RAF navigator John Nichol and journalist Clare Muldoon about the subject.

Speaking about why she doesn’t agree with compulsory national service for teens, Ruth commented: “It could help those involved in gangs and haven’t really got any good role models… the army can be a family.

“But that net would take in my son and he doesn’t need disciplining.”

John went on to reveal that he “loved” his time in the army, but noted: “France is talking about 20 billion euros to put 600,000 people through national service.

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“That’s 20 billion a year. Jack doesn’t need anyone to teach him how to be a good person.”

But Clare quipped in, remarking: “Leave the French to the French,” before insisting there is a myriad of ways youngster can help their country.

Ruth noted volunteering projects already existed and military service would not benefit all those required to sign up.

“A service life might not suit them. They may see it as punishment,” she argued.

Clare was far from impressed as she shot back: “If they have that personality, then those people have to get a life and they have to start by saying, ‘It’s not all about me.’”

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This Morning: Viewers rushed to comment on the debate on Twitter

This Morning viewers were left divided over the issue with some arguing compulsory national service was a great idea, with one tweeting: “Bring back national service. I'll have to go as well but a lot of youngsters have problems with authority and think they are more entitled than anyone else. #ThisMorning.”

Another added: “National Service is the way forward. The Military brought out the best in me as it gave me self confidence, a sense of direction and a genuine respect for authority. Everything a lot of the youth of today don’t have. #ThisMorning.”

However someone argued: “#ThisMorning how are young people supposed to have a life, if you're saying the national service is compulsory?! it's adults thinking what's better for teenagers and actually not asking us.”